Muslim Alliance of Indiana Hosts Political Leaders During Its Annual Iftar

Thursday, October 20, 2005
The Muslim Alliance of Indiana hosted representatives of Governor Daniels office, State Representative El-Amin, City-Councilman Abduallah and Indiana FBI Director Keith Lambreau during its annual Iftar at the Islamic center in Plainfield. MAI also received messages from Senator Billie Breaux (D), Assistant Minority Whip; Representative Brian Bosma (R), Speaker of the House; and Representative Behning (R) to be read to the participants. Furthermore, Representative Tiny Adams (D) from Muncie personally called and wished the participants a successful event.

MAI had written to invite the Governor, Senator Lugar, Senator Bayh, all 9 Congressman, all state senators and state representatives. The purpose was to inform the political leadership about Ramadan, the large presence of Muslims in Indiana, about MAI's activities and to invite them to the annual Iftar. Most were gracious in responding and gave their best wishes for the event.

Over 400 Muslim Hoosiers attended the MAI Annual Iftar. They were introduced to Eric Holcomb, Governor Daniels Director of Intergovernmental Affairs; Representative Yaphette El-Amin, Missouri Representative running for Missouri state senate; Talib din El-Amin, candidate for state representative from St. Louis; and Indianapolis City-Councilman Patrice Abduallah.

Participants broke Iftar with dates, fruit and water and then offered their evening prayers as a congregation. Upon completing their prayers, Dr Syeed, Secretary General of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), requested participants to stay in the prayer area for a brief program. Dr Syeed thanked the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI) for sponsoring this annual Iftar marking it as an important event in the Muslim Indiana calendar. He recognized the MAI leadership for their hard work that culminated in the organizing of this event as well as the Governor's Iftar. The letters from Senator Breaux, Speaker Bosma and Representative Behning were read to the participants. Dr Syeed then recognized FBI Director from Indiana, Representative El-Amin, Candidate El-Amin and City-Councilman Patrice Abduallah.

Eric Holcomb was asked to address the participants on behalf of the Governor. Mr. Holcomb started with thanking MAI for being invited a second year in a row. He discussed how MAI had initiated a relationship with the Governor while he was running for office a year ago. Since then MAI has attended the Governor's inauguration as guests, organized the first Muslim Day at the Statehouse, organized the first Governor's Iftar at the Statehouse, organized its annual Iftar and outreached to every Indiana politician at the state and federal levels.

Holcomb remarked that Indiana's Muslim community was vital for Indiana's comeback. He referred how encouraged he was by Dr Ansari's, President of MAI, remarks at the Governor's Iftar about the importance of Muslimc being a part of the political process and engaging with the leadership.
 
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